Change after 30 Years? Evaluation of the General Election in South Africa

Abstract

The South African people elected a new parliament and new provincial legislation on 29 May 2024. The election seemed to be a historical one: Mandela’s party, the ANC, is less and less able to attract South African voters. Firstly, the municipal election of 2021 showed decreased support (less than 50 per cent) for South Africa’s dominant party, secondly, the cooperation of liberal and right-wing parties earned the attention from the voters. Finally, former head of state, Jacob Zuma, made his comeback.

          This unusual situation made the dethronisation of ANC possible. However, after 29 May, neither the ANC, nor the MPC (Action SA, ACDC, DA, IFP, FFP), nor the far-left opposition – EFF and MK – could not achieve majority in the National Assembly. A Coalition is needed, otherwise, South Africa will not be able to work.

          My article makes an effort to explain the context and outcome of this current general election. A normative analysis of programs and goals. South Africa’s economic and social state suffers from a serious level of inefficiency that can be turned into success by decentralisation of public administration, reform cultural and linguistic rights, the exploitiation of the competitive advantage of South Africa’s provinces.